The world’s water

Fresh water accounts for 2.8% of the world’s water: 69.7% in glaciers, 30% in aquifers and 0.3% in surface water bodies (lakes and rivers).

Eight of the planet’s 37 largest aquifers are overexploited and depleted beyond the point of renewal.

Some 1.7 billion people live in basins where water consumption is greater than the available volume or renewal capacity. The UN predicts that by 2025, if consumption continues at its present rate, half of the world’s population will be living in ‘water stressed areas’, where water supply is less than 1,700 cubic metres per person per year.

Europe has 8% of the world’s fresh water and 13% of its population.

South America is one of the areas richest in water, with 28% of the world’s reserves and 6% of its population.

Lima (Peru) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) are among 20 major cities already under, or at risk of, water stress.

Sources: The World Bank; Centre d’Information sur l’Eau; United Nations; University of California

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